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The corporation has not disclosed which individuals benefit from the deals, which it supposedly banned five years ago.

But it's understood many stars now face backdated payments running into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

A source told the Sunday Mirror: 'The definitions of who is and who is not self-employed are ridiculous and unfair. Judges on Strictly are deemed self-employed, while the show's hosts are employed.

'Actors who work for the BBC are judged to be self-employed, but performers who report, interview, DJ or present are deemed employed. It is unfair.'

Former Top Gear host Evans, Jeremy Vine and Claudia Winkleman have personal companies

In 2012 a report found the BBC was paying more than 124 stars via personal service companies.

Used by freelance and casual staff, the arrangement allows workers to be taxed as a company rather than as an individual. The system is perfectly legal and was established for flexible workers such as plumbers and childminders.

But the crackdown on HMRC's IR35 legislation means it is now the responsibility of all public bodies, including the Beeb, to ensure people have the correct employment status for the purpose of tax collection.

Former Top Gear host Evans, Jeremy Vine and Claudia Winkleman have personal companies.

But while these stars own personal companies, there is no way of knowing if they are paid by the BBC through them.

A spokesman for the BBC said: 'The Government's new rules apply to all public bodies including the BBC and C4. We are making sure we comply with the law and licence fee payers don't pick up the liability for the wrong tax or NI contributions being paid.'

HMRC said: 'Employment status is never a matter of choice but is always dictated by the facts.'